Tottenham and Arsenal have been linked with the 29-year-old, who has been released by Chelsea and is available on a free contract.

However, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who worked with Cole during his formative years at West Ham, said he thought the midfielder had agreed a transfer to Manchester United, which would be concluded once England’s World Cup campaign is over.

But sources close to the Old Trafford outfit have distanced themselves from that speculation.

There have been rumours a potential transfer could be derailed over wages but a United insider has insisted there was never any contact from the Red Devils, and therefore the issue of wages was never considered.

With United out of the running, Redknapp can now make a move to lure the player to White Hart Lane.